The road to challenging for the World Chess Championship title just got a bit clearer, with FIDE officially announcing the key details for the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss and Women`s Grand Swiss tournaments. These critical events, serving as direct qualifiers for the 2026 Candidates Tournaments, are set to take place in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 3rd to 16th, 2025.
This marks a notable first for Uzbekistan, a nation increasingly recognized for its contributions to the global chess scene and boasting a rich historical connection to the game. Hosting an event of this magnitude underscores the country`s growing prominence in the chess world.
As with previous editions, the stakes couldn`t be higher. The top two finishers in both the Open Grand Swiss and the Women`s Grand Swiss will earn coveted spots in their respective Candidates Tournaments, positioning them within striking distance of a World Championship match.
Adding further incentive for participants, FIDE has significantly increased the prize funds for both events. The Open Grand Swiss will now feature a total prize pool of $625,000, representing a substantial 36% increase from the $460,000 offered previously. The Women`s Grand Swiss sees an even more dramatic boost, jumping by 64% from $140,000 to $230,000. Clearly, performance will be rewarded handsomely.
Both tournaments will adhere to the familiar and challenging 11-round Swiss format. A total of 170 players are expected to compete across the two events: 114 in the Open section and 56 in the Women`s.
Initial qualification lists, based on players` ratings and a requirement of at least 30 rated games played, have been published. As of the announcement, 100 players have qualified for the Open event and 44 for the Women`s. However, these lists are not yet final. Additional spots will be filled through continental qualification pathways, nominations by the FIDE President, and selections made by the organizing committee. The complete list of participants will be confirmed at a later date, leaving room for anticipation and speculation among chess enthusiasts.
With a new host city, a path leading directly to the Candidates, and considerably larger prize funds, the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand is shaping up to be an absolutely essential and highly competitive fixture on the international chess calendar.
